St. Paul daily globe., 1887-04-12
A BIZ EZY ME ETlNG.

The Cham or com hmefCe HAS an
Interesting Discussion over the
Contracts for school House Venti-
laIiOn.
At the meeting of the board of directors of
the chamber of commerce yesterday morning
the committee to whom had been REFER ed the
resolutions of the Trades and Labor assembly,
reported in favor of sending them to the
court house and they were so disposed
of. Gebhard Bohn was elected to fll the va
cancy caused by the death of Mr. Delano.
The reading of the report of the committee
in regard to the complaint of E. F. Osborn in
not having fair chance to bid for ventilat-
ing school buildings, caused a little breeze.
The committee said il had had Mr.. Osborn.
and his representatives before it to present
his case; also Mr.. Rogers, of Rogers & Davis,
who made similar complaint on their own
behalf. An adjournment of the hearing was
had at the request of representative of the
school board, to give them an opportunity to
be heard, and the president, secretary and
chairman of the real estate committee, to-
gether with the several other inspectors, ap-
peared and gave their version of the matter,
admitting that bids we're not advertised for,
practice which the committee con-
slider reprehensible. From the evidence
the committee concluded that local
mechanics were not given an equal oppor-
tunity with the Chicago Exhaust Ventilator
company to submit bids, that St. Paul
mechanics were prejudged as to their ability
to submit satisfactory system of ventilation.
The committee said it deprecated all methods
of receiving bids which, by reasonable cou-
structiOu, might be considered unfair to local
mechanics, believing that they should have
every opportunity to compete for any work to
be done, and then submit to fair award as
between all bidders on the merits of their pro-
poSalS.
LITTLE BREEZE. =
TTnon the ta king nm Of this rpnOrt for pnri-
eral consideration, MIR. Murray moved that it
pc laid over for one week in order to give the
board of education an opportunity to make
written reply. To this Capt Berkey objected.
He could see no reason why there should be
any delay in the matter. No eqfal oppor-
tunity had been given for our mechanics to
Did, and no bids had been advertised for.
MIR. observation-disclosures isn't so. No such
hing.
Mr.. Berkey-That is what the report of the
committee says.
Mr.. Postlethwaite-I don't care what the
report says. 1t isn't so. They all had the
Jane chance to bid.
Mr. Berkey-Here's Mr.. Baker, Mr.. Nichols
and Mr.. Scribner, the committee that made
he report. should like to have one or all
IF them make o statement of what the COM
mlttee did do or say.
Mr.. Nichols-There was kind of giving
notice for bids, but it was not in the usual
.ormsof adyertistng for bids.
Mr.. Postlethwaite-Every bidder had pre-
.isely the same opportunity to put in bids.
they were advertised. Notification for bids
we're given in New York, Chicago. Detroit
ind Minneapolis. On other OCCASIONS when
similar bids were advertised for, combina-
ions and pools were made here in St. Paul
which defeated fair bidding. The board of
education was determined that in this case. if
t was possible thing, they would have fair
bidding without any pools and that all should
nave the same show.
The motion of Mr.. Murray was then carried
and the matter was laid over till next week.
Dr.. Day explained in regard to the court
rouse commission and said it would see that
ne st. Paul mechanics had as good a chance
or bids as any one. D. r. NoyeS then stated
that Mr.. Osborn could not be here next Nom
1ay morning. and asked that he be granted an
opportunity to be heard then. The board ae-
luiesced in this and Mr.. Osborn proceeded to
give his version of the history of the matter.
He said be received the alleged advertise
ment and asked the board if he would be al
owed any remuneration for making plans
and specifications. To this he said he re-
eeived IS
AN EvASIvE REPLY,
and argued that he had man competent to
make the plans, n man who was formerly in
the employ of the Pennsylvania road who
prepared plans and specifications. These
pluns he showed to Mr.. Postethwaite, with
the estimates and costs.
Mr.. Postlethwaite-Thats not so. I deny it.
MemberS-Order order.
Chairman-Order.
Mr.. Postlethwaite-Its not true: you did
not lay before me any plans and speeifca-
tions
Mr.. Osborn-I went ahead secured bonds
men, etc., etc., but, as had to go out OF
town. went to Mr.. Ellis. one of the commit
tee on buildings, and who understood all
about the whole matter. Mr.. Ellis told me
that if l wanted to go away all right, to go
that nothing would he done about it III my
absence. l accordingly left the city. and when
l returned Monday morning learned for the
first time that the contract would be let that
night. can go to Chicago, New York, or any
of the large cities in the East. and put in bids
and get contracts for the biggest buildings
that are erected, and yet can't get chance
to bid on contract in St. Paul. / don't care
anything about getting the contract. All
want is d chance to bid on it. / will tell you
why ii is. 1t is because one of the hest men
N the world to handle a school board stays
nere-right over there in that hotel
This concluded the business and the
chamber adjourned.